Dr. Sujoy Dasgupta argues that altruistic surrogacy is often misunderstood and that many couples pursue it out of necessity due to medical conditions rather than for convenience or vanity. While the current landscape poses risks of exploitation due to lack of regulation, commercial surrogacy should not be equated with exploitation as it can offer benefits for both surrogates and commissioning parents. The need for regulatory frameworks is emphasized to protect all parties involved, promoting a more ethical approach to surrogacy.

1. For the Motion-
Altruistic Surrogacy is a Myth
Dr Sujoy Dasgupta
MBBS (Gold Medalist, Hons)
MS (OBGY- Gold Medalist)
DNB (New Delhi)
MRCOG (London)
Advanced ART Course for Clinicians (NUHS, Singapore)
Consultant: Reproductive Medicine, Genome Fertility Centre,
Kolkata
• Winner, Prof Geoffrey Chamberlain Award, RCOG World
Congress, London, 2019
• Managing Committee Member, Bengal Obstetric &
Gynaecological Society (BOGS)- 2019-20
• Secretary, Subfertility and Reproductive Endocrinology
Committee, BOGS- 2019-20

2. Real life example
• Mrs JC, 38 years, trying for pregnancy for 12
years
• 10 times IUI failed
• 5 times IVF failed
• Uterine cavity- grossly distorted with
Adenomyosis
• Now decided for surrogacy

4. Altruistic surrogacy
• in which no charge , expense, fees,
remuneration or monetary incentive of
whatever nature are given , except the
medical expense incurred on the surrogate
mother and the insurance coverage for the
surrogate mom

5. Surrogacy came into spotlight
when…..
Got a thumbs up from the film fraternity and the public

6. Myth vs Reality
Sensational Stories by
News Media
• commercial surrogacy-
always and necessarily
exploitative
• altruistic surrogacy –not
exploitative.
Fact
• Nearly every couple that
commissions surrogacy does
so not on account of wealth
or vanity
• they have untreatable
conditions such as the
absence of a womb, or
uterine abnormalities.

7. Surrogacy- Last resort
“I didn't choose surrogacy so I could avoid putting on weight,
or avoid labour pains, or simply because it was fashionable
since Bollywood stars were doing it.
On the contrary, for the rest of my life, I shall always carry the
pain and regret of not being able to carry my own child.
So surrogacy wasn't my first, second or third option.
It was my last resort.”
- Rupali Tewari, Senior Special Correspondent, NDTV

8. Experience of a commissioning
mother
https://www.ndtv.com/blog/i-used-a-surrogate-and-am-so-grateful-and-proud-1451190

9. Experience of a commissioning
mother
https://www.ndtv.com/blog/i-used-a-surrogate-and-am-so-grateful-and-proud-1451190

10. “Surrogates equals exploitation ???”
• India- World’s “Surrogate Hub”
• Rs. 900 crore Business in WOMB TRADE was
thriving in India
• Some clinics cheat the surrogates & never pay them
any money
• the potential for exploitation is linked to the lack of
regulatory oversight and lack of legal protection to
the surrogate.

11. Regulation, NOT prohibition

12. Regulation, NOT prohibition

13. Worldwide scenario

15. Transplantation of Human Organ Act

16. Transplantation of Human Organ Act

17. Transplantation of Human Organ Act

18. Under the Table Transaction
• India is a country of
scams and we all
secretly know that
anything can
happen here.

19. Sex Selection (PC-PNDT Act)

20. The surrogate mother should be a
close relative of the intending couple
and should be between the age of 25-
35 years.

21. If there is no suitable “Close
Relative”?
• Nuclear family
• Childless couples- often socially isolated
• Same sex couples
• Single persons

22. Even if close relative is available
• A sister will be willing to give birth to a baby
whose father is her own brother ?
• How many grandmothers or mothers-in-law
would give their nod to surrogacy within the
family?

23. Coercion in the family

24. Exploitation in Altruistic Surrogacy
• Blackmailing
•“I rented my womb to you”
•“You were born out of my womb”
•“You owe me”

25. Right to confidentiality

26. Who is the “Close Relative”?
• No Legal Definition
• Cousin?
• Black marketing
• “District Medical Board”
• Possibility of corruption?

27. Alternative
• Strict regulations
• Everyone wants
biological offspring
• Personal decision

28. Uterus Transplantation ???

29. Commercial surrogacy ≠ Exploitation
• Independence
• Better living condition
• Upliftment of women
• Education to their children
• Hopeful future for family

31. Need of the hour
• Regulation to protect the right of
1. Surrogate mothers
2. Intending couples
3. Children born out of the surrogacy

32. Regulation of IVF sector as a whole
is required
• donor egg/ sperm/ embryo
• transparency of success rates
• informative documentation
• reliable information

33. • Banning “commercial”
surrogacy will only serve
to end the hopes of
couples who are not
willing to, or who cannot,
choose “altruistic”
surrogacy.

34. Both parties have their own needs
• a baby for the
prospective parents
• money for the
surrogate mother.

35. Depriving the couples of scientific
options such as surrogacy